Will Remodeling Firms Go Green?

Friday, September 19, 2008 Will remodeling firms go green? Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal - by Katharine Grayson Staff Writer

Peter Lytle, a veteran executive who led Fingerhut Inc.’s turnaround, and entrepreneur Joe Keeley have launched a franchise concept that aims to capitalize on the green-building boom.

The venture, dubbed Live Green, Live Smart Builders, is targeting small residential- remodeling firms that want to grow by carving out a niche in environmentally friendly construction. The business will license the Live Green brand to franchisees, and will provide marketing services Nancy Kuehn | Minneapolis/St. and materials such as signage. It also will train Paul Business Journal franchisees at the Live Green, Live Smart Joe Keeley, left, and Peter Lytle’s Live Green, Live Smart Institute, an organization led by Lytle that Builders will target residential promotes green-building practices. remodelers. Behind them is an energy-efficient Minnetonka house that served as the concept’s testing ground. Lytle and Keeley, who built College Nannies & Tutors into a national franchise, are launching Live Green under the umbrella of Wayzata-based Franchise Development Group, a holding company they co-own.

Live Green, Live Smart Builders has signed on one franchisee and aims to line up roughly 600 nationwide over the next five years. The partners think their knowledge of construction practices that improve energy efficiency and conserve water will lure contractors to the Live Green brand.

Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal - September 22, 2008 http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/09/22/st ory5.html